Amphibious device of the foldable outrigger type



E. o. MoKlNm-:Y 2,759,201

4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Aug. 21, 1956 AMPHIBIOUS DEVICE OF THEFOLDABLE OUTRIGGER TYPE Filed Dec. 28, l953 Aug. 21, 1956 E. o. MQKINNEYAMPHIBIOUS DEVICE OF THE FOLDABLE OUTRIGGER TYPE Filed Dec. 28, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 21, 1956 E. o. MCKINNEY 2,759,201

AMPHIBIOUS DEVICE OF THE FOLDABLE OUTRIGGER TYPE Filed Dec. 28, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 3 ELDoN O. McKlNNaY ATTORNEY Aug. 21, 1956 E. o. MCKINNEYAMPHIBIOUS DEVICE OF- THE F'OLDABLE OUTRIGGER TYPE Filed Dec. 28, 195s 4Sheets-Sheet 4 mvENToR ELDON O. Mc KnNNaY ATTORNEY United States PatentC) AMPHEBOUS DEVICE F THE FOLDABLE UTRIGGER TYPE Eldon 0. McKinney, PalmSprings, Calif.

Application December 23, 1953, Serial No. 400,407

3 Claims. (Cl. 9 1) My invention relates to boats of the catamaran oroutrigger type.

An important object of the invention is to provide a foldable catamaranwhich is amphibious, and including a retractable wheeled ninning gear.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an amphibiouscatamaran which is particularly useful for Coast Guard and life savingwork, as well as for sports, such as shing, pleasure boating, beachlanding craft for the armed services and the like.

Another object is to provide an amphibious catamaran or Outrigger boat,which when folded is narrow enough to run on a highway, behind a towingvehicle or the like, and when extended or unfolded provides a broaddeck, supported by pontoons near the sides of the deck, so that the boatmay be launched in rough surf and used on the ocean, without upsetting.

A further object is to provide a catamaran or boat of theabove-mentioned character having a deck section of permanentconstruction, and foldable auxiliary deck sections.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a catamaran whichis simplified and light weight in construction, rugged and durable,reliable in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, p

Figure l is a plan view of a foldable outrigger boat or catamaranembodying my invention, part broken away, and showing the foldedcondition of the catamaran in broken lines, y

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the catamaran with the wheeled runninggear lowered, the running gear being shown elevated in broken lines,

Figure 3 is a rear end'elevation of the catamaran in the extended orunfolded condition with the running gear lowered, and showing the foldedcondition of the same and the running gear elevated in broken lines,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section taken online 4 4 of Figure l,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the main rigid frame or body portionof the device disassociated from the other parts thereof,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken substantially online 6 6 of Figure 4, parts omitted and parts broken away,

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of front wheel steeringmeans,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 8 8of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 8, and,

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on line 10-10 of Figure 6.

2,759,201 Patented Aug. 2l, 1956 In the drawings, where for the purposeof illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, thenumeral 15 designates generally a main frame or supporting structure forthe device. The main frame 15 is relatively narrow and elongated, asshown, and preferably comprises upper and lower pairs of transverselyspaced parallel longitudinal frame members or bars 16 and 17, which areof stout or rigid construction. The forward and rear ends of the upperlongitudinal frame bars 16 are rigidly connected by transversehorizontal frame bars 18, rigidly secured thereto by welding or thelike, as shown. The lower longitudinal frame bars 17 are somewhatshorter than the upper bars 16 and have their ends terminating inwardlyof the ends of the bars 16. The forward and rear ends of the lowerlongitudinal frame bars 17 are rigidly connected with the upper framebars 16 by means of inclined or diagonal braces 19 and 20, rigidlysecured thereto by welding or the like, and arranged in vertical planes.The diagonal bars 19 and 20 are rigidlly secured to the upperlongitudinal bars 16, slightly inwardly of their opposite ends.

Forward and rear transverse horizontal beams 21 and 22 are welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the bottoms of the upper longitudinal bars16, somewhat inwardly of their opposite ends, and the beams 21 and 22extend laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal bars 16 forsubstantial equal distances at the opposite sides of the main frame 15.An intermediate transverse horizontal beam 23, identical with the beams21 and 22 is rigidly secured to the bottoms of the longitudinal bars 16at their longitudinal center, as shown. The ends of the beams 21, 22 and23 terminate in longitudinal alignment, and the beams are at the sameelevation, and lie in a horizontal plane. The ends of the beams 21, 22and 23 are rigidly connected with the lower longitudinal bars 17 bymeans of inclined or diagonal braces 24, as shown, rigidly securedthereto by welding or the like. Additional vertical braces or bars 25rigidly connect the transverse beams 21, 22 and 23 with the lowerlongitudinal frame bars 1'7, as shown. Forward and rear horizontaltransverse frame bars 26 are rigidly secured by welding or the like tothe lower longitudinal bars 17, below the beams 21 and 22, and a simliarhorizontal transverse bar 27 is rigidly secured between the longitudinalbars 17, below the beam 23. A pair of parallel longitudinal decksuporting beams 28 are rigidly secured by welding to the tops of thebeams 21, 22 and 23, adjacent their outer ends, and the beams 28 arepreferably somewhat shorter than the upper longitudinal bars 16, andspaced laterally outwardly of, in parallel relation therewith. The beams28 lie in the same horizontal plane as the upper longitudinal bars 16.

The parts thus far described make up the main frame 15, and constitute arigid unit, forming the body portion of the device. This unit or frame15 is clearly shown disassociated from the remainder of the device inFigure 5 of the drawings.

A central horizontal permanent deck section 29, formed of wood or thelike, rests upon the tops of the upper longitudinal frame bars 16 andthe deck supporting beams 28, and is rigidly secured thereto, bybolting, or any other suitable means. The deck section 29 isuninterrupted between the beams 28, and its forward and rear endsterminate at the forward and rear ends of the beams 28, as shown. Theopposite end portions of the upper and lower longitudinal frame bars 16and 17 project longitudinally beyond the ends of the deck section 29, asshown.

Horizontally swingable Outrigger arms or frames 30 are provided upon theopposite sides of the main frame 15, adjacent to the transverse beams21, 22 and 23. Each outrigger frame 30 comprises a vertical pivot shafts or tube 31, at the inner end thereof, and arranged adjacent the rearside of the associated beams 21, 22 or 23. The pivot shafts 31 aredisposed adjacent to the ends of the lower transverse bars 26 and 27,and just rearwardly thereof, the bars 26 and 27 being varranged in thesame vertical planes as the beams 21, 22 and 23.

Upper horizontal support plates 32 are rigidly secured to the.transverse beams 21, 22 and 23 and upper .longitudinal frame bars 16,Figure 6, adjacent -to the rear sides of the beams 21, 22 and 23, andthe -outer sides of the .bars 16. The shafts 31 are provided at theirlower ends with reduced pivot extensions or ytrunnions 34, rigidlysecured thereto, and journaled within `openings 35 `of .the horizontalsupport plates 33. Depending trunnions 36 .on the upper horizontalplates 32 engage within openings 37 in the tops of the vertical shafts31, as shown. The Outrigger frames 30 are thus journaled adjacent to therear sides of the beams 21, 22 and 23, at the outer ends yof the lowertransverse bars 26 `and 27.

Each Outrigger frame 30 further comprises spaced :upper Vand lowersubstantially horizontal bars or .arms 38 and 39, having their innerends rigidly secured Aby welding to the vertical shaft .31, as indicatedat 40. Diagnonal braces 41 for the Outrigger Aframes 30 .extend between.the upper and lower arms 38 and 39, as shown, and are rigidly securedVthereto by welding or the like. The outer ends Of the Outriggerarms 38and 39 are rigidly connected by vertical tubes ;or sleeves 42.

Elongated tubular pontoons .or oats 43 .extend horizontally beneath thelower :ends of the vertical tubes 42, .and the pontoons 43 preferablyextend continuously for the entire length of the main frame 15, orslightly beyond :the Vends of the main frame, if preferred. The pontoons43 are rigidly secured at their tops to curved shoes `or plates .44 byany suitable means, and vertical pivot .shafts 45 have their lower endsrigidly secured to `the shoes 44, and extend rotatably through thevertical tubes 42, as shown, for forming a pivotal connection between.the Outrigger frames 30 and the pontoons. The tops of the shafts 45 areprovided with nuts 46, and `llat washers .slidably engaging the tops ofthe tubes 42, .and serving .to hold the shafts 45 against downwardmovement within the .tubes 42.

It is thus Vseen that the three Outrigger frames 30 .upon each side ofthe main frame 15 have their .inner .ends vpivotally secured to :themain frame and their outer ends are pivoted -to the horizontallongitudinal pontoons 43. The Outrigger frames 30 upon each side ofthemain frame are thus swingable horizontally in unison, and areVmaintained parallel because of .their pivotal connections with .thepontoons. The pontoons 43 remain parallel with .the main frame in .alladjusted positions, yand thepontoons are bodily swingable with theOutrigger .frames .30.

With .the .means described, the pontoons 43are shiftable from extendedpositions wherein the Outrigger frames 30 .are perpendicular .to thezsides .of the main frame 15, to .folded or retracted positions, wherein.the Outrigger frames are at angles to the sides of the main frame v15,with .their outerfends swung toward .the rear end of .the main frame,see the broken line showing the pontoons in Figure 1.

I provide auxiliary deck sections 47, outwardly of the central.permanent deck section 29. The .auxiliary Vvdeck sections 47 have.their inner sides hingedly secured at -48' 'to ,the .outer longitudinalsides of the central deck section 29., and are adapted to ,be foldedover the Vcentral .deck section Vto stowed horizontal positions, whenthe pontoons 43 are folded or retracted. When the pontoons are extendedto their 4outermost positions, the hinged auxiliary vdeck sections 47yare foldable outwardly to extended horizontal positions, wherein theyrest upon the tops of .theoutrigger frames 30, and providea continuousdeck ofsubstantiallyincreased width. The auxiliary deck sections -47 arelpreferably .of the same length as :the vpermanentcentral deck section.29.

In order to lock the Outrigger frames 30 in the extended positions,perpendicular to the sides of the main frame 15, I provide U-shapedlocking elements 49, rigidly secured to the bottoms of the auxiliarydeck sections 47, near the outer longitudinal edges Of the same, andadjacent to the several Outrigger frames 30. The U-shaped lockingelements 49 are adapted to engage over the upper arms 38 of theOutrigger frames, when the frames are at right angles to .the sides ofthe main frame 15, Figure 4, to releasably and positively hold thepontoons 43 and Outrigger frames in their extended positions. When theauxiliary deck sections 47 are folded inwardly upon lthe central decksection, the elements 49 release the Outrigger arms 38 so that thepontoons may be shifted to their retracted positions.

It is to be noted that the outer portions of the transverse beams 21, 22and 23 overlap the upper Outrigger arms 38 for a considerable distance.outwardly of the vertical tubes 31, and limit the forward or.counterclockwise swinging movement of the Outrigger frames 30 in Figurel. When the vOutrigger frames 30 ,are swung forwardly, they engage therear sides of the beams 21, 22.and 23, yand the beams serve as positivestops for the Outrigger frames, and position the same at right angles`tO the sides `of the main frame 15, so that .the arms 38 may properlIengage .the U-shaped locking elements 49 without further adjustment.

`In v.order .to render the foldable catamaran .transportable .on land`and amphibious, I provide forward and rear retractable wheel units ,50and 51. The rear wheel unit 51-comprises a horizontal axle 52, havingrubber tired wheels 53 of the automotive type journaled upon its ends.Rigidl'y .secured to the axle 52, inwardly of the wheels 53 are verticalposts or bars 54, of considerable length, kwhich extend .above .the axle52 and are rigidly connected at Atheir yupper ends by a transversehorizontal bar 55. .Crossed-.diagonal `braces 56 may be provided betweenthe upper cross bar 55 and the lower ends of the posts 54, .as shown, tostrengthen .the retractable wheel unit. Guide .sleeves 57 4are pivotallysecured to the inner sides of the .upperlongitudinal frame bars 16, asat 57 adjacent their rear ends, for vertical swinging movement, andthese kguide sleeves slidably receive the posts 54, as shown. Inclinedand vertical brace bars 58 and 59, rigidly secured to .the 4bottoms ofl.the lower longitudinal frame members 17, near ytheir rear ends supporta horizontal transverse rock .shaft 60, vspaced somewhat below theflower frame .members 17, somewhat forwardly of their reariextremities.VPivoted brace bars 61 have their forward ends .rigidly secured to therock shaft 60, just inwardly of the longitudinal bars 17, and the rearends of zthe brace .hars -lare pivotally secured to the posts 54, .nearthe lowerends of the same, as indicated at 62.

A horizontal transverse cable winding shaft 63 is journaled :withinbearings 63', which are xedly secured to -the rear .endsof the upperframe bars 16, and a cable 64 .has .its alpper end secured lto the shaft63, near the longitudinal center thereof, and its lower end attached to:the axle.52,fat64. The shaft 63 is provided at one end with a handcrank ,65, and carries a ratchet wheel 66, for .engagement with .apawl67 pivoted near the rear end of .the .adjacent upper longitudinal framebar 16. 'When the crank is turned for winding the cable 64 upon .theshaft 63, the rear wheels 53 and associated elements are elevated orretracted in the manner shown in the drawings, andthe wheels 53 ltravelupwardly and assume elevated positions just below the longitudinal beams28. In such positions, the 'bottoms of the wheels 53 are substantiallyat 'the tops of the pontoons V43. The wheels 53 andfaxle .'52iswing .inan arcas they are raised yand lowered, Figure 2, due to the pivotalconnection of the lrods 61 withlthe` main iframe, through the medium ofthe rock shaft 60. When the wheels 53 are fully lowered, .due toAmiwinding 0f :the vcables 64 from 4the shaft 63, the fbot- I'OmS 0f theWheels are well below the pontoons v43, and

the rear end of the device is held elevated by the rear wheeled unit 51for transportation on the ground.

The forward retractable wheel unit 50 is substantially the same as therear unit 51, and embodies identical upstanding posts 54 and brace bars55 and 56. Additional sleeves 57 are pivoted to the inner sides of theupper frame bars 16, adjacent their front ends, and the posts 54 of theforward unit 50 are slidably received by the sleeves 57. An identicalcable winding shaft 63 and cable 64 are mounted upon the forward ends ofthe frame bars 16, in the same manner that the corresponding parts aremounted upon the rear ends of the frame bars 16, and these elementscoact in the forward retractable wheel unit 50 in the identical mannerthat they coact in the rear unit 51 to raise and lower the same. Anadditional rock shaft 60 and pivoted connecting rods 6l and associatedelements are arranged below the forward portions of the lower frame bars17, for the same purpose that the corresponding elements of the rearunit 51 serve, and no further description of these elements in theforward unit l) is necessary.

The forward retractable wheel unit 50 differs from the rear wheel unit5l only in that the forward wheels 68 are adapted to be steered. Theforward axle 69 is secured to the lower ends of the posts 54 in theidentical manner that the rear axle S2 is secured to the posts 54.However, ythe wheels 68 of the forward unit 50 are journaled uponL-shaped steering levers or bell cranks 70, pivotally connected with theends of the axle 69 for horizontal swinging movement by means ofsteering knuckles 71. A horizontal transverse drag link 72 connects thesteering bell cranks '70, as shown, and a forwmdly extending horizontaltowing tongue 73 is pivoted at I4 to the center of the axle 69. A rearextension 75 of the tongue 73 is pivoted at 76 to the center of the draglink 72, and when the tongue 73 swings from side to side, the frontwheels 68 are steered. The tongue 73 is connected with a towing vehicle,not shown, when the device is to be transported over a highway, or thelike. The forward portion of the tongue 73 is detachable, as shown, andmay be removed if desired when the forward unit 50 is elevated orretracted. The forward unit 50 is raised and lowered in the identicalmanner of the rear unit 51, and no further description of its operationis necessary.

In use, the device is readily transportable over a highway or roadwaywith the wheel units 5l) and 51 lowered and the main frame 1S andpontoons 43 elevated. At this time, the pontoons 43 are placed in theretracted or folded positions, and the inner sides of the pontoons arearranged close to the outer sides of the rear wheels 53, as shown inFigure 1.

It should be mentioned, that means are provided to lock the Outriggerframes Si) and pontoons in the folded or innermost positions. This meanscomprises a pair of readily removable vertical locking pins 77, Figurel0, which are placed through openings 73 and 79 of the intermediatemounting plate 32 and arms 38 of the intermediate outrigger frame 36respectively. These openings 78 and 79 will register to permit thepassage of the locking pins '77 therethrough, when the pontoons 43 andOutrigger frames 30 are in their proper folded positions. If desired,additional locking pins 77 between the other Outrigger frames 30 and theforward and rear mounting plates 32 may be provided, but it is believedthat a single pair of lthe pins 77 will serve to properly hold thepontoons in the folded position during transportation of the device onwheels.

It should also be mentioned that means are provided to lock the mainframe 1S in the elevated position, relative to the lowered wheel units56 and 51. This means may comprise removable pins 80, extending throughtransverse openings 81 and 82, in the vertical posts 54, and shoes 57,as shown. When the wheel units 50 and 5l are fully lowered, the openings31 and 82 will register to receive the pins 80, for preventing downwardmovement of the main frame 15, and associated elements, relative to thelowered wheel units. When traveling on wheels, the auxiliary decksections 47 are folded inwardly upon the central deck 29, and the entiredevice is now narrow enough to travel safely along the highway.

The catamaran is launched in the water from a beach, river bank or otherground with the wheel units 50 and 51 down. The pontoons 43 may be swungto their outermost positions prior to launching in the water, or afterthe boat is afloat, and when the deck sections 47 are swung to theirouter horizontal positions, the U-shaped locking elements 49 will engagethe Outrigger frames 30 and lock them and the pontoons in the extendedpositions, with the arms 38 engaging the transverse beams 21, 22 and 23,as previously explained. Once afloat, the wheel units Si) and 51, may beelevated, as previously described, by cranking the shafts 63 and windingup the cables 64 thereon. The pawls 67 will engage the toothed ratchetwheels 66, and lock the wheel units in their retracted posi tions abovethe pontoons. The wheel units are thus elevated above the surface of theWater, and the catamaran is now ready for use afloat.

The oating catamaran has a very wide flat horizontal deck, and thepontoons 43 are spaced far apart beyond the opposite longitudinal sidesof the deck, so that the catamaran is practically impossible to upset,even in rough surf. It should be mentioned there that the shape and sizeof the pontoons 43 may be varied, as found desirable, to provide betterbuoyancy and performance.

My catamaran is useful for a variety of purposes, like life saving workby the Coast Guard and at beach resorts. It will also serve as a lightweight sports or pleasure craft, for fishing and the like, as well as asmall landing craft for troops assaulting a beach, or the like.

When the catamaran is to leave the water and come upon the land, thewheel units 50 are fully lowered while the device is still alloat. Thepontoons 43 will support the main frame 15, as the wheels lower bygravity, and the locking pins are then slipped into place. The devicecan then travel from the water onto a beach or other solid ground, andthe wheels will again support and transport the device, the pontoons 43being now elevated as they leave the water. Either to leaving the wateror after the r device is on land, the pontoons and Outrigger frames 30may be returned to and locked in their retracted positions, aspreviously described.

Although not shown in the drawings, I also contemplate building mycatamarans with an engine suitably mounted upon the main frame 15, andoperatively connected through suitable gearing with the rear wheels 53,to drive the same. A steering wheel for the front wheels 68 may beprovided, instead of the tongue 73, and the device will then beself-propelled on land.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scopeof the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A foldable catamaran comprising a substantially rigid main frameincluding upper and lower horizontal frame members and transversevertical frame members, a central deck mounted on top of the main frameand substantially covering it, horizontally swingable Outrigger armspivoted to opposite sides of the main frame and adapted to extendtransversely of the main frame and generally longitudinally thereof, theOutrigger arms extending vertically from substantially the elevation ofthe upper horizontal frame members to the lower horizontal framemembers, said arms extending for substantial distances beyond thelongitudinal edges of the central deck when positioned transversely ofthe main frame, pontoons carried by the outer ends of the Outriggerarms, auxiliary decks hinged to the centraly deck adjacent thelongitudinal edges of the .same and ,adapted t9 swing :vertically -intostowed nos' 'ons ion top :of the ,central .desk and .to ,eX- tendedApositions .resting vupon said ontnisser farms., :the auxiliary deekstthen,forming with Lthe Central .deels :a oontinnons and unobst-rnetedfbroad horizontal deelt arranged bodily above the main trame., ontriggerarms yand Pontoons, means earriedfby the auxiliary deeks to engegetheontrigger arms -for ,locking them in their transversely -extendedpositions, .and-,rnea-nsior loelsingthe ontrigger arms in `theirpositions generally Alongitiniin.ally of the mein trame.-

;2. A foldable lcatamaran comprising a .main substantially rigid trarne,said trame including nager and lower horizontal frame :members andtransverse vertieel iframe members, a :central derek inonnted upon andsubstantially eovering vsaid upper horizontal fra-me members,horizontally swingable Outrigger-arms pivoted to the sides ofthegmainframefand `extending `verticallyfrom Asubstantially theelevation of :the upper horizontal trame members to the lowerhorizontal-frame members, Asaid Outrigger arms being vadapted to extend4trrmsversely .of the mein frame and outwardly of the longitudinal edgesyof -sjail central deck, said arms thenbeing in parallel contactingrelation with said transverse frame -membersLpontoons connected with thebottoms of the outriggerarms adjacenttheirouter ends and therebydisposed below the elevation of said bottom horizontal frame members,auxiliary decksghinged to ;the.,centr al deck adjacent the Alongitudinaledges of .the latter and adapted-to swing vertically into overlyingcontactingrelation with the centraldeckand alsotoextended horizontalpositions outwardly ofthe central deck and resting upon thetops of-theoutrigger arms, ythe central and auxiliarydecks then forming a broadAhorizontal unobstructed deck spaced bodily above the mainframe andoutnigger arms and spaced y' 1 substantial `tiistrmee above :said lowerhorizontalframe .membersend said pontoons.

f3- An amphibious .device Comprising a substantially rigid main frame ofconsiderable depth, a `central .deck mounted ,on tor o fthemainiframe'ontrigger armspivoted tothe sides of 'the main frame forhorizontal Asvt/inging movement to ,positions transversely and generallylongitudirrally ,of the mainframe, said outriggerarmsl extendingvertiallygfor substantially ,the full vdepth of the main frame, pontoonsIcarried by the bottoms of the Outrigger arms adjacent their outer endsand spaced below the bottom of ,fthernain frame, lauxiliary decks hingedtozthe central deck adjacent its longitudinal edges and being verticallyswingable to `lie horizontally upon the main ,deck oroutwardly of themaindeck ,and upon the 4tops of ,the Outrigger arms, elements ycarriedby the bottoms of .the auxiliary decks and engaging the outriggerarms.forreleasably ,locking them in theii positions' transversely .of themain frame .while supporting the auxiliary decks, and separate means forylocking the Outrigger arms in Vtheir positions generally longitudinallyof the main frame.

v4References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 22;175'Furbush Nov. 30, 1858 392,407 Chorman Nov. 6, 1888 650,479 Pepin May29, 1900 A1,681,07g1 Vitanyi Aug. 14, y1928 [2752335240 Boldis et al.Feb. 25, 1941 '2,570,528 `Davis Oct. 9, -1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 357,1124Germany Aug. 16, 1922

